Meet Rococo Chocolates – Masters of “Pleasure and Provenance”

Our friends over at Julie’s Beet marketplace have an amazing secret, Rococo Chocolates. A UK company that operates in London, Rococo is shaking up the chocolate industry with unique flavors like fizzy raspberry, honeycomb crunch, and basil Persian lime (YUM).

Rococo Chocolates has a unique advantage above the rest: a dedication to quality. Their motto is “Pleasure and Provenance”. The provenance of this motto lives through the large amount of organic products Rococo offers as well as through their self owned cocoa farm in Grenada, Rococo.

Or try our ROCOCO CHOCOLATES MINI BEE BAR GIFT SET (6 BARS): A great introduction to the flavors of Rococo Chocolates. You are sure to have a favorite by the time you finish the set. The selection includes all of the flavors carried at Julie’s Beet, enough variety to please the chocoholic in your life.

WHY ROCOCO CHOCOLATE ROCKS!

Rococo not only makes delicious chocolates for you to eat at home, but they have three amazing locations in London. One in Belgravia that offers delicious hot chocolates and breads. One in Marylebon that is described as a “chocolate oasis”. And Rococo’s original first shop in Chelsea that has a sugar chandelier. This whimsical charm of their stores can befound in each and every one of their chocolate products.

Who are the business founders and when did you launch the business?

Rococo Chocolates was founded in 1983 by Chantal Coady. She launched the business with one shop on the Kings Road in London at the young age of 23.

What inspired you to start your business?

As a student, Chantal spent her Saturdays working in the chocolate department at Harrods department store. At Harrods, most of the gift boxes were pre-made and she felt the process could be done much better.Combining her education in graphics and design, Chantal set out to change the way people see chocolate. She started with purchasing the best chocolate she could find and repackaged it in the most amazing packaging you have ever seen.

Where do you currently make your product and how did you find the process of finding a kitchen to be like?

The chocolate is currently produced in London England. Over the past 33 years, the company has taken a lot of the chocolate making in-house. There is a team of chocolatiers in the production kitchen who have the pleasure of working with some of the world’s best chocolate.

Did you have a background in the food/drink industry when you started? (If not, what was your background?)

Chantal Coady had a love of chocolate and a background in graphics and design when she started Rococo Chocolates. She did take a short course on running a business and that is where the name ‘Rococo’ comes from.

What are some examples of rookie mistakes you made when starting out?

When the first Rococo Chocolates shop opened in London, the shop was decorated in a style that was very unique to Chantal. In fact the ceiling was painted a cotton candy pink to match her hair. Over the years, the company has learned that the shops need to appeal to a wider audience while still maintaining a sense of identity.

Your biggest business challenge to date?

Keeping up with changing trends in the industry as well as technology.

How do you stay motivated in the face of competition?

Every year Rococo Chocolates challenges itself to keep making the best chocolate.The team enters many competitions as a whole and as individuals.The company has received numerous awards when stacked against the competition. This sense of accomplishment and pride, keep the team motivated by the competition.

What’s the strangest customer request or feedback you’ve gotten?

Since there are a lot of chocolate lovers, Rococo Chocolates receives a lot of strange requests. Being part of someone’s engagement might not be the strangest but is definitely one of the best uses of the chocolate!

Whats your main business goal for 2015?

In 2015, Rococo Chocolates took their first major step towards having a presence in the USA. They have teamed up with Julie’s Beet to import their products and distribute them across the country.The year has been filled with many challenges (The US is quite a bit larger than the UK!) but has been one filled with great learning experiences.

What makes your company unique?

The combination of Chantal Coady’s unique style and sense for design have inspired diversity in the flavors of the chocolates and the products themselves.These unique flavors in combination with the beautiful packaging make Rococo Chocolates unique.

What’s your team or company motto/mantra?

The motto for Rococo Chocolates is ‘Pleasure and Provenance’. The company is always looking to make people happy with the chocolate they are eating but also want to feel they are putting out an outstanding product. All of the chocolate is organic and the other ingredients in the products are traced to the source, allowing the company to know who they are supporting along the way to their goals.

Advice for someone with a great artisan food or drink idea?

Go for it! If you have a passion for something, pursue your dreams. At 23, it is difficult to know what the world is all about. After 33 years, 5 cookbooks and 4 shops Chantal Coady is still changing the way the world sees chocolate. She won the OBE from the Queen of England in 2014 as part of the Queens Birthday Honors and Rococo Chocolates continues to excel in the chocolate world.

TRY ROCOCO CHOCOLATES NOW!

Evona is a passionate foodie, entrepreneur and the founder of Undiscovered Kitchen, a digital farmer’s market for small batch, specialty foods! She loves discovering new foods from around the country and talking to the artisans who make them.